As many of you will know, I'm working on a collection of local folk tales and lore. If you have any stories, legends, or just interesting facts, I'd love to hear them. Post them as comments here, as a story, or just tell them to me when you see me in the Swan.
For a variety of reasons, I'm currently particularly interested in stories involving foxes, changlings, or shape-shifters.
Posted by Graham at October 20, 2003 08:32 PMAlistair I know you have a fasination with folklore and was wondering if you know anything about a glowing or perfect stag
Posted by: Steven Marsden at October 25, 2003 09:28 PMA glowing animal is often an omen. The meaning of the omen would depend on the animal. For a stag, the following fable is telling.
A STAG overpowered by heat came to a spring to drink. Seeing his own shadow reflected in the water, he greatly admired the size and variety of his horns, but felt angry with himself for having such slender and weak feet. While he was thus contemplating himself, a Lion appeared at the pool and crouched to spring upon him. The Stag immediately took to flight, and exerting his utmost speed, as long as the plain was smooth and open kept himself easily at a safe distance from the Lion. But entering a wood he became entangled by his horns, and the Lion quickly came up to him and caught him. When too late, he thus reproached himself: "Woe is me! How I have deceived myself! These feet which would have saved me I despised, and I gloried in these antlers which have proved my destruction."
What is most truly valuable is often underrated.
Hope that helps.
Posted by: Alistair Hawthorn at October 30, 2003 04:04 PM